New Delhi: Official sources said that presently around 20 IIMs take in nearly 10,000 students every year and HRD ministry is keen that this number be taken close to 20,000.
According to the statement, Javadekar also told reporters after the meeting that possibility of expansion of Doctoral programmes was discussed. He expressed that creating more quality PhD programmes will address the issue of shortage of faculties in institutes, the statement said.
And for creating more PhDs, the Minister said that, better avenues of fellowship will be offered to willing candidates. He added that in line with the IIT Council, where it has been decided to award PM’s scholarship for PhD programme, government approval will be sought for PM s scholarship for best of PhD scholars in IIMs. Final decision in this regard will be taken with Cabinet approval, the Minister said. Also, it was decided that IIMs will participate in a new initiative of government to make 20 world class institutes.
The HRD minister also learnt to have emphasised ensuring that the institutes are socially equitable with regard to admissions and recruitments, a source said.
While replying to one of the query of the reporters regarding reservation in education policy, the Minister reiterated that as far as reservations are concerned, it is the constitution which provides for it and the government has no plans to make changes in reservations. He also said that IIMs will actively participate in creating contents for SWAYAM which is an Information Technology platform hosting Open Online Courses and will provide high quality education on various subjects from 9 to Under Graduate and Post Graduate students — covering all disciplines. The Minister also interacted with the students of IIMs.
Remembering the great teacher and former President, Late A P J Abdul Kalam, the minister said that there is a need to inculcate the willingness for adopting teaching profession among students as the country requires 10 million good teachers to improve the quality of education from primary to higher education and from higher education to research and innovation. In his interaction, he also appealed to students to ponder upon the need for research and innovation for developing good quality education, the statement said.